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This morning the APCD's Kentuckiana Air Education (KAIRE) Program joined students of the Chenoweth Elementary Environmental Club to celebrate Earth Week and unveil a new sign to renew Chenoweth Elementary School’s commitment to an idle free car-rider line.
The KAIRE Program educates the public about the benefits of clean air, with an emphasis on voluntary steps individuals can take to reduce their negative impact on the air. One of their most notable initiatives is Idle Free, which encourages people to reduce unnecessary idling of their vehicles in situations where it can be avoided.
“Students walking through vehicle exhaust every day as they walk into school is detrimental to their developing lungs,” said Dee Lynch of KAIRE. “Chenoweth Elementary recognized that being Idle Free is a simple change in a daily habit that creates a cleaner school environment and a healthier school community.”
Students and Teacher Steve Henry were joined by Dee Lynch, KAIRE and Councilman Andrew Owen, D-9 Credit: JCPS
Exposure to vehicle exhaust can aggravate asthma or other lung disease and increase the risk of developing respiratory illness and cancer, especially in high-concentration areas like car-rider lines. Children are even more susceptible because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe 50 percent more per pound of body weight than adults.
In 2011, led by their Environmental Club, Chenoweth Elementary became the pilot school for KAIRE’s Idle Free Schools initiative. Students launched an education effort reduce idling and improve air quality. Idle Free was celebrated at a school festival and a sign was placed in their car-rider line to encourage parents to turn off their engines while waiting.
Chenoweth Elementary has sponsored and supported an environmental club for over a decade. This group, through their monthly meetings, has participated in presentations from representatives from many regional environmental groups, including Trees Louisville, Kentucky Heartwood, and Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light. Through the years club members have been recognized for outstanding artwork in the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual Jim Claypool Writing and Art Contest. Chenoweth’s Environmental Club enjoys robust attendance and participation, encouraging students to be active advocates and ambassadors for a healthy environment.
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